Combined table-spread and napkin-holder.



C. M. WALES.

COMBINED TABLE SPREAD AND NAPKIN HOLDER.

(Application filed May 16, 1902-) No. 705,496. Patented July 22, I902;

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FEICE.

CORNELIUS M. WALES, 0F GUNTOWN, MISSISSIPPI.

COMBINED TABLE-SPREAD AND NAPKlN-HOLDER.

$PECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 705,496, dated July 22, 1902.

Application filed May 16, 1902. Serial No. 107,662. (No model.)

sissippi, have invented a new and useful Combined Table-Spread and Napkin-Holder, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device which shall be adapted to be applied to dining-tables for the purpose of holding the table cloth or spread securely upon the same, for the further purpose of holding in position the edges of the said cloth or spread and of a cover or netting when the latter shall be spread over the dishes placed upon the table in order to excludeinsects, and for the further purpose of holding in position the napkins My invention consists of a portable or detachable bracket formed, preferably, of wire and having means for its attachment to the edge of a table and clamping means for holding the edges of the cloths or napkins, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View showing a dining-table to which my invention has been applied in position for operation, a netting having been spread over the same. Fig. 2 is a side view showing, on a larger scale, one of my improved holders or fasteners detached.

Corresponding parts of the figures are indicated by like characters of reference.

My improved holder, which as a whole is denoted by 1, is preferably formed of a single piece of wire by bending the same so as to form at its lower end a' book 2 of proper dimensions to engage the edge of an ordinary table. The said hook may be formed with straight and parallel upper and lower edges, or the said edges maybe slightly curved toward each other, as shown at 3 3, to aflTord a better hold upon the table edge and facilitate the adjustment of the device thereon. It is to be understood, however, that with regard to theiexact shape or conformation of said hook I do not limit myself.

Projecting upwardly at approximately a right angle to the upper side of the hook 2 is the stem 4, which is bent or doubled twice upon itself, so as to form the oppositely-facing elongated hooks 5 and 6, facing, respecplaced at each plate.

tively, in a downward and upward direction. The side members of thesaid hooks are caused to lie closely together, so; as to form clamps that shall be adapted to engage and hold with a suflicient degree of security the edges of the textile materials of which the table-covers are composed. The end of the wire forming the outside member of the hook portion 6 may be bent so as to form an eye 7 in order to avoid catching in the material of the cloths or napkins. A similar eye may be formed for a like purpose at the end of the lower side or member of the hook 2; but at this point it is less necessary, and no such eye has been shown in the drawings.

The operation of my invention will be clearly understood when reference is had to Fig. 1 of the drawings. Ordinarily six of my improved holders are employed, the same being adjusted upon the edge of the table in such a manner as to clamp and hold the cloth which has been laid thereon. The said cloth will thus be held securely and free from wrinkles. It is obvious that a greater or less number of the holders may be employed, according to the size of the table. When a netting or auxiliary cover has been spread over the dishes upon the table, the edges of such auxiliary cover may be adjusted in the hooks or clamps 6, while the edges of the table-cloth proper are turned up and adjusted in the hooks 5. The meeting edges of the two cloths being thus brought together and held securely in contact with each other, it is obvious that insects will be absolutely excluded, while when it is desired to use the table the auxiliary cover may be readily removed, the edges of the table-cloth withdrawn from the hooks 5, and napkins placed in the said hooks or holders, one for each guest.

My improved holder may be and is preferably constructed of a single piece of wire, which may be nickel-plated or otherwise ornamented to afforda neat appearance. Regarding its dimensions and exact shape, I do not limit myself to the exact form shown in the drawings, but consider myself entitled to 'any modifications which'may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention. The hook member 2 may be provided in its upper or lower side, or both, with lateral curvatures or coils, which shall serve to sustain the device in an upright position upon the table upon which the device is placed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. In a device of the class described, a horizontally-disposed hook combined with a vertical stem bent upon itself twice to form a pair of vertically-disposed oppositely-facing hooks, substantially as set forth.

2. In a device of the class described, a hook adapted to engage the edge of a table and to hold the cloth upon the same by frictional contact, combined with a pair of oppositely facing auxiliary hooks or clamps to receive the edges of the table-cloth and of an auxiliary cover, substantially as set forth.

3. The herein-described holder and clamping device comprising an approximatelyhorizontal hook member and two approximately vertical clamping members or oppositely-facing hooks, all bent or formed from a single piece of wire, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CORNELIUS M. WALES.

\Vitnesses:

G. W. SMITH, C. II. DOBBS. 

